الفصل الفصل 9 · How King Arthur held in Wales, at a Pentecost, a great

. How King Arthur held in Wales, at a Pentecost, a great

feast, and what kings and lords came to his feast.

Then the king removed into Wales, and let cry a great feast that it

should be holden at Pentecost after the incoronation of him at the city

of Carlion. Unto the feast came King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with

five hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast King Uriens

of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also there came to that

feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven hundred knights with him. Also

there came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred knights

with him, and he was but a young man. Also there came to the feast a

king that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, but he and his

men were passing well beseen at all points. Also there came the king of

Carados with five hundred knights. And King Arthur was glad of their

coming, for he weened that all the kings and knights had come for great

love, and to have done him worship at his feast; wherefore the king

made great joy, and sent the kings and knights great presents. But the

kings would none receive, but rebuked the messengers shamefully, and

said they had no joy to receive no gifts of a beardless boy that was

come of low blood, and sent him word they would none of his gifts, but

that they were come to give him gifts with hard swords betwixt the neck

and the shoulders: and therefore they came thither, so they told to the

messengers plainly, for it was great shame to all them to see such a

boy to have a rule of so noble a realm as this land was. With this

answer the messengers departed and told to King Arthur this answer.

Wherefore, by the advice of his barons, he took him to a strong tower

with five hundred good men with him. And all the kings aforesaid in a

manner laid a siege to-fore him, but King Arthur was well victualed.

And within fifteen days there came Merlin among them into the city of

Carlion. Then all the kings were passing glad of Merlin, and asked him,

For what cause is that boy Arthur made your king? Sirs, said Merlin, I

shall tell you the cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon’s son, born in

wedlock, gotten on Igraine, the duke’s wife of Tintagil. Then is he a

bastard, they said all. Nay, said Merlin, after the death of the duke,

more than three hours, was Arthur begotten, and thirteen days after

King Uther wedded Igraine; and therefore I prove him he is no bastard.

And who saith nay, he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; and,

or he die, he shall be long king of all England, and have under his

obeissance Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will

now rehearse. Some of the kings had marvel of Merlin’s words, and

deemed well that it should be as he said; and some of them laughed him

to scorn, as King Lot; and more other called him a witch. But then were

they accorded with Merlin, that King Arthur should come out and speak

with the kings, and to come safe and to go safe, such surance there was

made. So Merlin went unto King Arthur, and told him how he had done,

and bade him fear not, but come out boldly and speak with them, and

spare them not, but answer them as their king and chieftain; for ye

shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill.